education

Glasgow University to refund students in halls one month of rent after 600 put in isolation

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Around 600 students are currently in self-isolation at the University of Glasgow (Picture: Getty Images)

Glasgow University has said it will refund all its students living in halls of residence one month of rent.

It comes after at least 124 students tested positive for coronavirus, forcing around 600 students into self-isolation.

The Scottish Government and Universities Scotland has asked freshers not to socialise in pubs, restaurants and other venues this weekend.

The university has now said it will refund rent, as well as make a £50 food payment to students and offer them extra student support.

Principal Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli said: ‘I hear the concerns of our students in residences and I appreciate how difficult this situation is for them.

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‘From today, we are rolling out significant extra support measures so they can more easily access food, health and wellbeing and other supplies.

‘We are offering everyone in our residences, regardless of whether they are isolating or not, a one-month rent refund to compensate for the disruption they are facing, and any financial hardship they may have encountered.’

A test centre has been set up at the Murano Street halls of residence, where around 1,000 students live.

A sign saying ‘help us, send beer’ at Murano Street Student Village in Glasgow (Picture: PA)

Those self-isolating will receive food parcels, along with cleaning materials, bedding and towels.

‘Our living support team are also stepping up efforts to proactively contact students, check on their wellbeing and offer support.

‘To make sure everyone has access to hot and fresh food, we will work with providers to install mobile catering units and give £50 to each student for food and supplies.

‘This isn’t the start of academic life we would wish for anyone.’

The principal also thanked those who were in self-isolation for ‘playing their part’.

Glasgow is not the only university affected by coronavirus. Students at Manchester Metropolitan University have also been forced to self-isolate after 127 positive cases, and there have been outbreaks in other places such as Liverpool.

And students banned from socialising exclusively told Metro.co.uk how they ‘feel like prisoners’ as they face spending the next two weeks trapped in tiny rooms.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon apologised to students yesterday for the start of their academic year, but supported universities to take action against those breaking the rules ‘as a last resort’.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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